Every year i try and grow cabbages over the winter to provide a crop in spring, before the early summer crops kick in. In the past i have bought young plants from a nursery and they have always done well, producing a good crop. Last Year though i bought some seeds of 'Savoy King' cabbages thinking that as an 'all rounder' they would seve as both a summer and a winter/spring crop. Apart from being hammered by the cabbage white caterpillars (my fault for not netting) the summer crop grew well producing nice hearts.
Encouraged by this in June i sowed some more seed which was planted out in late summer with the aim of cropping in late winter/early spring. These grew steadily until they were checked by the winter cold and were fleeced over to protect against frosts and pigeons. Because of the cold march they did not begin to grow until a couple of weeks ago. A few days ago I noticed the fleece was really starting to 'balloon' indicating significant growth and i assumed they were ready for harvesting. On inspection however i discovered to my disapointment that they had 'bolted' (run up to flower), and no hearts had been produced at all in all 9 plants.
Fortunately this has not been a total waste, since i have found the leaves of bolted cabbages are still eatable (steam cooked), I guess a bit like spinach. So at least we will get some crop from the plants.
I am a little mystified as to what might have gone wrong. It cannot be the fleece maing them too hot since a) it hasnt been that warm, and b) i have had fleece on cabbages to keep pests off in the summer with no ill effect. The only thing i can think of is that they havent had enough rain/water over the winter.
Any thoughts please?
Such a shame Richard. I have never had cabbages bolt, the kale and swiss chard starts to bolt about now, but that was sown/planted in the summer so I already had lots of pickings and I expect them to go over now. I would agree with your thoughts and put it down to lack of water, after all, when a plant runs to seed it is because they are trying to reproduce so potentially have been stressed, or have exhausted their supplies of energy and food. Maybe next time you should look for a cabbage which is specifically suited to a late sowing for overwintering. I know most cabbages will over winter fine, but I also know there are some that are tough as old boots! Such a shame.
A great pity, especially since you seem to have lavished so much care on them :(
I understand that bolting is caused by a period of growth, then a period of low temperature, then warmer temperature.
Some winter/spring varieties are better than others in their resistance to bolting - January King and Tundra are good ones I have used in the past. I read also that there is one called April which is supposed to be resistant to bolting too, but haven't grown that.
Sorry to tell you Richard but savoy king are not the sort to grow for spring cropping you need some thing like April or compacta sow in late July early august then plant out when big enough to handle into finale growing positions
Quote from: Richard Kinson on April 03, 2006, 17:47:46
Sorry to tell you Richard but savoy king are not the sort to grow for spring cropping you need some thing like April or compacta sow in late July early august then plant out when big enough to handle into finale growing positions
I had a feeling someone would tell me that. I was probably being a bit of a cheapskate using the same seed for two different cropping periods. Should've got some seed of an overwintering variety like you say.
QuoteI understand that bolting is caused by a period of growth, then a period of low temperature, then warmer temperature.
And thats exactly what they had this winter!
Last year wasn't a typical year we had temps of 63f in Nov which started stuff which was for overwintering growing away again ..Then we have had the bad frosts earlier this year ..Normally savoys are a late summer autumn cabbage but I have had them overwinter before . But I think you may have been better off last year with a dedicated spring cabbage such April, Spring hero or Flowers of spring ...
Cheers ..Jim
Growmore what I meant to say about savoy cabbage was that it does stand the winter but to do so it as to be planted in its final position my the end of July. I think Richard sowed some later on in the year thinking that it would be ok to grow on.
Quote from: Richard Kinson on April 04, 2006, 17:47:48
Growmore what I meant to say about savoy cabbage was that it does stand the winter but to do so it as to be planted in its final position my the end of July. I think Richard sowed some later on in the year thinking that it would be ok to grow on.
I think i did sow by the end of July as it hapens. But as you say Savoy King was probably not the best for an overwintering crop.